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F. M. DRAPBR. Carpet Stretcher.

No. 236,421. I Patented Jan. 11,1881.

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- 'NITE rates FRANCIS M.

DRAPER, OF PLATTEVILLE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- FOURTH TO ANDREW J.SMITH, OF SAME'PLAOE.

CARPET-.STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 236,421, dated January11, 1881.

Application filed November 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. DRAPER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Platteville, in the county of Grant and State of Wisconsin,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oarpet- Stretchers;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class ofcarpet-stretchers composed of bars connected together and provided withtoothed cross-heads; and the object of the improvement is to constructand provide for the trade a durable, simple, and cheap stretcher thatcan be easily operated and effective in its work.

M y improvement consists of a carpet-stretcher composed, essentially, offour piecestwo horizontal extensible basepieces and two hingedleversformed at their outer ends with teeth or points arranged at rightangles thereto.

My improvement also consists in the novel construction and arrangementof parts, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specificallyclaimed.

Figure l is a perspective view of the carpet'stretcher complete. Fig. 2is a perspective view of the samewith an extra extension-bar attached.Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lever and cross-head hinged to oneof the horizontal bars. Fig. 4 is a view of the stretcher in itsshortest form, adapted to be used in hallways and storage.

In the annexed drawings, forming a part of this specification, theletters A A represent the horizontal or base bars, provided with aseries of perforations or apertures for adjustment and to receive thefastening-bolts B B.

The letters 0 0 represent levers, which are made of the same width asand a little longer than the base-bars. The outer ends of these (Nomodel.)

levers are provided or formed with cross-heads or headblocks D D,arranged at right angles thereto. The straight edgesouter ends-of thesecross-heads, which may be slightly beveled or rounded, are provided withser es of teeth or points 1), arranged at a slight angle to thehorizontal plane of the cross-heads, so that when the levers are intheir inclined positions the teeth will center readily into the carpetand secure a tirm hold for the stretch.

The outer ends of the adjustable horizon- .tal bars are provided withhinges 01. One leaf of each is secured near the outer or crosshead endof the levers, substantially as shown in the drawings, whereby thelevers may assume the inclined position, substantially as shown in Figs.1 and 2 of the drawings, so that the required leverage for stretchingthe carpet is attained.

In case a long carpet for a long room is to be put down, the perforatedbar F is adjusted and fastened to the side perforated bars,

as seen in Fig. 2, to secure the desired extension.

Uperation: The stretcher is adjusted in length so as to reach lengthwiseor crosswise of the room, as the process of laying the carpet mayrequire. The ends of the levers are then elevated, causing the teeth orpoints of the cross-heads to enter the carpet. Power is then applied tothe upper ends of the levers, which causes the cross-heads to be movedfrom the base-bars in opposite directions until the levers are pressedfully down and in the same horizontal plane with the base-bars,

thus securing the proper stretch, which may rations in the base-bars andthe body passed over the levers may be employed to keep them in thelocked position.

What 1 claim, and desire to secure by Let- 5 ters Patent, is

1. An adjustable carpet-stretcher composed, essentially, of fourparts-to wit, the horizontal extensible base-pieces A A and the levers O0, formed at their outer ends with teeth or 10 points and hinged to thebase-pieces, substantially as described.

2. The improved carpet-stretcher hereinbefore described, consisting ofthe base-bars A A, provided with a series of perforations, the levers OG, cross-heads D D, provided with 15 the teeth I), and thefastening-bolts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS M. DRAPER.

Witnesses THOMAS JENKINS, J OHN D. PLAPP.

